They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a single image can unlock a thousand feelings. That’s precisely what happened when I stumbled upon a folder of photos from a photography event we held in London back in 2018. It was a flood of nostalgia, pride, and the stark contrast of the journey that followed.
The Golden Day: Photo Event in London, February 24, 2018
This event was a highlight, a testament to community and shared passion. It simply wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible energy and talent of everyone involved. I want to take a moment to honour them:
· The Organizing Team: Myself, Łukasz Malec, along with Joanna Malec, Mateusz Piasecki, and Bożena Anna Janiak.
· The Talented Photographers: Mariusz Wieleba, Milena Wilamek, Katarzyna Pelowski, Adrian Filipiak, Anna Woźniak, Anita Walkowska-Hopcia, Marcin Hopcia, Anna Kuciaba, Piotr Soczówka, Piotr Dziedzic, and Adam Żurek.
· The Fantastic Models: Kamil Lemieszewski, Suan-Li Ong, and.
· The Magic-Making Team: Makeup artists Maja Kureczko and Monika Balcer, and hairdresser Sara Strauss.
What the photos from that day don’t show is the struggle happening just behind the scenes. Flying in from Belfast the day before, I felt dreadful. I was plagued by a crushing cough, struggling for every breath. With no fever or other common symptoms, I dismissed it as a stubborn infection and pushed through, unaware that my body was already fighting a different, much deeper battle. Cancelling was never an option; too many people had put their faith in this event.
The Turning Point: The Diagnosis
Exactly one year later, almost to the day, in March 2019, I was in the hospital with that same terrible cough, diagnosed with fluid in my lungs and told there were “masses” visible. The months that followed were a blur of fear, biopsies, and agonizing uncertainty. The relief when cancer was ruled out was immense, but the new diagnosis was life-altering: sarcoidosis.
I then realized that the cough I had dismissed as an infection during the London event was most likely one of the first major symptoms of this disease.
In simple terms, sarcoidosis means my immune system is overzealous; it’s too strong for its own good. This hyperactivity causes inflammation and clumps of cells called granulomas to form in organs, in my case, primarily my lungs. My own body’s defense system had become my biggest challenge.
The following years were the hardest. There were periods where walking was impossible. On the rare “good” days when I could manage a few steps and meet friends, their shock was palpable. Seeing me with a walker prompted calls and worried questions: “What happened? Were you in an accident?” Explaining that it wasn’t an acute injury but a constant, invisible internal battle was difficult.
2018 vs. 2025: Seven Years of Peaks and Valleys
Now, in 2025, seven years after that initial diagnosis, I’m reflecting on the journey. This past year was a gift—a period of remission where the disease loosened its grip. I could breathe easier, be more active, and even indulge in a sense of normality. My wife and I fulfilled a dream, taking several trips in a camper van, chasing moments of freedom and joy. For a while, I dared to hope that a permanent return to my old life was within reach.
But sarcoidosis is a condition of phases, as unpredictable as the weather. I’ve learned that after a period of calm, a storm can follow. I can feel myself entering a new phase of regression. The approaching autumn, with its chill and seasonal illnesses, is a trigger for my hyperactive immune system, and I’m already feeling the familiar fatigue and limitations creeping back.
My hope now is modest: that my walker will be enough support for this next chapter.
A Heartfelt Thank You
This journey would have been immeasurably darker without a crucial source of light and support. I truly don’t know if I could have managed without the unwavering support of the OhVibe Creative Collective, Łukasz, and Natalia. Their belief in me has been a lifeline. They are the ones who consistently pull me into creative photography projects, reminding me of who I am beyond my illness. Last year’s exhibition was their doing—a project that gave me a purpose and a platform when I needed it most.
To them, to my incredible wife, and to all of you who have offered a kind word or a moment of understanding: thank you. Thank you for being part of these memories, both the golden ones from 2018 and the more complicated, yet equally precious, ones we’re making today.
The fight continues, but so does the hope.